Nearly 50 CXO leaders gathered on June 19th, 2024 for the Sketch Summer 2024 event at the Kamiyacho Trust Tower WeWork offices, known for its stunning views of Tokyo Tower and the new Azabudai complex.
The half day gathering kicked off with an introduction from Aya Shimada, founder of CULTURELABS, who emphasized the need for cognitive diversity in the business world. Shimada pointed out that Japan, grappling with issues like an aging population, economic challenges, and a lag in digitalization, needs transformative innovation to navigate its current state of crisis. She underscored that diversity, especially cognitive diversity, is essential for sparking creativity and driving change.
"Instead of glossing over the issue of diversity, we need to discuss how to become a more inclusive society," Aya stated. "Diversity brings different perspectives together, leading to innovation and transformation. It's about survival and thriving in a rapidly changing world."
Johnny Yoo, CEO of WeWork Japan, followed with a toast celebrating the event's significance. He expressed his optimism for Japan's future, stressing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in propelling the country towards a period of substantial growth over the next decade. "I'm very bullish on Japan," Johnny declared. "But we absolutely need more diversity to transform Japan into a global leader and a beacon of hope."
The event's keynote speeches brought in perspectives from top industry leaders. Seiji Yasubuchi, CEO of AXA Holdings Japan, emphasized the critical role of CEOs in championing DEI initiatives. He shared AXA's initiatiives, highlighting their efforts in promoting gender diversity, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, and accommodating employees with disabilities. "Diversity alone is not enough to bring innovation. Inclusion must be set together with diversity," Yasubuchi asserted. He illustrated how AXA's practices of inclusion and diversity have driven employee engagement and resilience.
Seiji further explained the broader benefits of DEI, including enhanced innovation and increased societal trust, especially in the context of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment. "Our customers are diverse by nature. It’s crucial that our company reflects that diversity to build trust and attract talent," he said. "DEI is not just beneficial; it’s a fundamental human right and a necessity for any organization."
Joining online, Jens Heitland, former Global Head of Innovation at IKEA Centers, shared a compelling case study on how diverse teams drive innovation. Jens recounted his experience leading a global project to reinvent IKEA with sustainability at its core. By fostering collaboration across different parts of IKEA and involving external partners, Jens and his team developed new store design principles and a groundbreaking investment strategy. "The biggest opportunity we have is collaboration between humans," Jens noted. He emphasized that the success of the project was rooted in a simple yet effective innovation process: exploring, sourcing ideas, testing, and implementing solutions collaboratively.
Jens highlighted the lasting business impact of these collaborative efforts, noting that the relationships and networks formed during the project continue to drive innovation within IKEA and beyond. "The collaborations we established have created a win-win for everyone involved," he said. "It's not just about business success; it's about building a community that supports ongoing innovation and growth."
Following the keynote speeches, the CXOs divided into six groups, each participating in a workshop led by one of six storytellers. Each storyteller guided the discussions with episodes from their own lives and experiences on specific topics, which we have previewed here. These stories sparked further conversations as each group member contributed their own insights and experiences.
(Click here for a synopsis/preview of the speakers talks:
Stories by Larry Bates & Miki Oikawa, Corporate Diversity & Inclusion - June 19th Sketch Summer 2024 Preview Article Part 1 - Blueprinting Tomorrow: a Chief Officer’s Co-Creation Table
Larry Bates, Former Board Member, Managing Executive Officer, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer, Panasonic Holdings
Miki Oikawa, Representative Director and President, Pola
Stories by Yohei Shibasaki & Aya Shimada, Navigating Talent Acquisition and Skills Development in the Age of Globalization & GenAI - June 19th Sketch Summer 2024 Preview Article Part 2
Yohei Shibasaki, CEO, Fourth Valley Concierge
Aya Shimada, Founder, Culturelabs
Stories by David Milstein & Ted Nakai, Driving Transformation: Our Collaborative Journey Towards Change and Mutual Support - June 19th Sketch Summer 2024 Preview Article Part 3David Milstein, Managing Partner, Japan Head, Eight Roads Ventures
Ted Nakai, CPO Office Leader, Chief of Staff to the CPO, LIXIL Corporation)
The event concluded with a mixer in the WeWork VIP room, offering attendees a chance to network and discuss the insights shared during the session while enjoying the breathtaking views of Tokyo. The gathering not only highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion but also showcased practical steps and real-world examples of how these principles can drive meaningful change and innovation in organizations.
As Aya Shimada summarized, "Let's innovate and bring about change through diversity." This event set a powerful precedent for how Tokyo's business leaders can embrace and leverage diversity to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the modern world.
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Some of the participants' post-event feedback were:
"Exceptional quality of the speakers and attendees."
"Loved the diversity of the people. Looking forward to the next one."
"Really great people!"
"The sessions were on point and concise, not too long."
"It was deep networking, in addition to the important social topics."
"Next time get a bigger space." (turn out was near 100%)
Many attendees said they followed up with each other to discuss business and career opportunities.
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